Total Fuel Pump Failure on A330/340
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Total Fuel Pump Failure on A330/340
Hi Folks,
here is a theoretical question. Let us assume, all fuel pumps fail inflight. What happens to the engines? I remember from my Boeing days, that engine operation is always assured. Any ideas for Airbus?
Cheers and looking for your comments
here is a theoretical question. Let us assume, all fuel pumps fail inflight. What happens to the engines? I remember from my Boeing days, that engine operation is always assured. Any ideas for Airbus?
Cheers and looking for your comments
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In both cases fuel flow is assured up to about FL240, this is because the fuel tanks are pressurised by airflow from the NACA ducts below the wings ( via the vent surge tanks ).
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FCOM 12.20.2 "When main tank fuel pump pressure is low, each engine can draw fuel from its corresponding main tank through a suction feed line that bypasses the pumps."
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Saw that happen in a B727 when the Flight Eng forgot to switch on the fuel pumps before start. Engines started fine
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On A320 they have started both engines with all fuel pumps off putting off all warnings without checking and then climbed to FL380 experienced dual engine flame out realized their blunder, managed to relight both and landed back. Human propensity for screw up is unlimited.
IF the fuel is "weathered" - that is it's been at altitude for an hour or more so that the dissolved gasses have boiled out of the fuel - suction feed usually works pretty well and should keep the engines running above 30k.
However, if the fuel isn't weathered the engine driven fuel pumps will cavitate at altitude - engine operation will come erratic - flameout or a surge/stall is likely. Plus the cavitation can cause damage to the fuel pumps - reducing the pumping capability and generating debris into the engine fuel system.
There have been several cases where shortly after reaching cruise altitude, crew members turned off the wing boost pumps instead of the center wing tank pumps, resulting in an all engine power loss. Fortunately, best as I can remember, they were always able to restart the engines.
However, if the fuel isn't weathered the engine driven fuel pumps will cavitate at altitude - engine operation will come erratic - flameout or a surge/stall is likely. Plus the cavitation can cause damage to the fuel pumps - reducing the pumping capability and generating debris into the engine fuel system.
There have been several cases where shortly after reaching cruise altitude, crew members turned off the wing boost pumps instead of the center wing tank pumps, resulting in an all engine power loss. Fortunately, best as I can remember, they were always able to restart the engines.
IF the fuel is "weathered" - that is it's been at altitude for an hour or more so that the dissolved gasses have boiled out of the fuel - suction feed usually works pretty well and should keep the engines running above 30k.
However, if the fuel isn't weathered the engine driven fuel pumps will cavitate at altitude - engine operation will come erratic - flameout or a surge/stall is likely. Plus the cavitation can cause damage to the fuel pumps - reducing the pumping capability and generating debris into the engine fuel system.
There have been several cases where shortly after reaching cruise altitude, crew members turned off the wing boost pumps instead of the center wing tank pumps, resulting in an all engine power loss. Fortunately, best as I can remember, they were always able to restart the engines.
However, if the fuel isn't weathered the engine driven fuel pumps will cavitate at altitude - engine operation will come erratic - flameout or a surge/stall is likely. Plus the cavitation can cause damage to the fuel pumps - reducing the pumping capability and generating debris into the engine fuel system.
There have been several cases where shortly after reaching cruise altitude, crew members turned off the wing boost pumps instead of the center wing tank pumps, resulting in an all engine power loss. Fortunately, best as I can remember, they were always able to restart the engines.
